The troops gathered, so many came that he wondered if he should even stick around. That bear he had met days after his hatching was here, he was huge now and when his name was spoken it was foreign to him. Louie said nothing back, only acknowledging that Leon had enquired it was him by a flick of his tail. If he spoke, he was worried his voice would betray more of his fear than it should. The phoenix creature didn't say much upon arrival, other than regarding them as friends and immediately he felt himself bristle and become agitated by such a phrase. Friends were meaningless. No one was here because they were friends, they were here to eliminate a common enemy. That dumb poison birb came and announced that she would have a healing station set up. Although he was pretty certain if someone needed to be healed they would be dead before they got there.

Finally, Deer Dad came, blabbing on about how dangerous Raheerah was and he found himself rolling his eye. Yes, big bad dragon wanted to kill them. Everyone at this point could obviously see that, that he had no intention of holding back either. If he did maybe Louie wouldn't be missing most of the left side of his face right now. Agitation increasing at being made to stand around and wait, the tension was thick and he felt like he was suffocating in it. Energy and heat came from the mouth of Polaris and immediately he found himself sinking back into his previous fears. The horrors of flame and lava that had seen to melt and boil his face. Ears flattening, he steeled himself by raking his paw across the ground.

Keeping his voice steady and firm, he growled, "Let's just go already!"

Life was changing, and changing fast. Every aspect he'd once been so worried about now seemed so incredibly pointless. The fighting, the power, the rank- all stupid now. Only one thing mattered- the safety of the tiny lives growing by his paw back in Orion. One thing threatened their safety above all else. Lately, instinct perhaps, or a sullen rage slowly building, growing, venomous in its fever. Whatever the case, Cancer felt restless- vengeful. He could not stay put, so with his twins safely guarded back home by crystal walls as dark as the stone of Orion, he left for Polaris- to finish once and for all what he'd been the one to start.

He strode through empty tunnels and caves, wearing the entirely completed- the final version- of his finest armor. Decked out in Raptor Scale, resistant to fire, and crystal plates and helm, his identity a mystery behind full suited reds and blacks, any who'd never seen his armor in progress- namely old enemies- would think nothing off the highly armored cat appearing on the sidelines... and a good thing, too. As Cancer approached his final destination, he was met with a hundred faces. One such pair brought a certain new flame to his will, like fuel to his fury. Makyna. Leon. The bear, he glanced over with some sense of relief- a good fighter. Fire with fire. The lioness, he glanced at with some sense of repulsion, then quickly, he moved on. Keeping close to the walls, he watched as the group discussed, attention turned to Raheerah at the Spire.

There were many who wanted to fight this dragon, to kill it. Cancer decided, in that moment, that he'd be the one to deliver the killing blow. He'd end what he started.

"I'm coming for you, Raheerah." He'd mutter as he rounded away from the group, a shadow against the walls as he moved into a better position amongst the burning stones and crystals of Polaris, ready to begin... to defeat this dragon... or die trying.

"Speech"

NOTE: Cancer arrived stealthily wearing his full and completed Fire Armor. Made from the skin of a Fire-Elemental Raptor (thread in progress) and self-grown crystal (also in progress), his identity is hidden. Those very familiar with him are fine to recognize him, but those who haven't seen him in a while likely won't pinpoint the familiarity without magical aid or clue. He heads in without the group, staying to the side and moving slow. He's on his own agenda so good luck getting him to work as a part of the group.

They were, each and every single one of them, bounds of restless energy. Coiled and drawn taut in anticipation, there was no way to tell what would transpire now with this coming battle but that it would surely result in death and fatality. It was an inevitability and the thought of that alone was enough to wrap its skeletal grips around her heart in ragged anticipation. There was no stopping what was coming and although Astraea's words brought great reassurance unto the filly, it would not deter her from the task lain before them. She would help, even if that meant staying in the backlines offering what little she could. "I know." Delphine whispered. "I'll stay in the back and do what I can. I won't be a hindrance." It was hard to distinguish whether she said what she said for her own sake or for others. This was bigger than any of them could ever imagine and to think that anyone truly cared for what one filly had or had not to offer seemed nearly redundant. Redundant.

There were two ways in which epiphanies hit. One was in a slow unfurling; a culmination of realizations actualized to this very point where everything very simply clicked. The second was one that hit like a freight train, mercilessly and without warning. This time around, it was more inclined toward the latter option. Delphine suddenly came to realize how easily life was lost and if her encounter with Baratheon had not already taught her this, what they were about to embark upon now did exactly thus. Everyone standing here were putting something on the line. They all had something to lose and still they gathered, coming together in a reunion among friends and strangers. Her emerald eyes swept the faces familiar and unfamiliar, she burned their existence to her mind and memorized these creatures who were stepping forth. This was the least she could do because when it came down to it, Delphine was but a child trying too hard to play at an adult's game.

Yet all that mattered now was that she was here and she would fight.

bathed in flames we held the brand uncurled the fingers in your hand

The mustelid wasn't sure of himself, as he stood along side his mastiff friend-- but the dog was determined. It wasn't the King he thought it would be, in some ways, it was a million times worse. Fisher was glad Fallah wasn't there, the chance of fatality was too great, but there were many more he knew. His eyes landed on Leon, a bitterness in his throat as he watched Makyna slink away without so much as a glance towards him.

Arkrael was there too-- and for a moment Fisher felt nothing but joy-- his hunting partner, his second-best barkfriend. The angst washed away, his fur bristling with pure energy as he leaned into Black. A hunt, and a good one, was coming their way. He could hardly help his response, a short, low woof in her direction. His tail wagged as Black offered two options to him, drawing his attention in close once more.

His copper eyes met the teal pools of his friend, electricity sparking in his ears, rushing through his fur. "We need to be ready to separate if the King targets us," he commented softly. "I'll run beside you, but don't be afraid to leave my side if you have to. Like the big guy said, we might need to spread out." He pressed his nose to the dog's shoulder, his muzzle wrinkled into a smile.

"Come on," he whispered, darting over in a bounding, bouncy motion over to Leon and Arkrael, his eyes bright.

His teeth flashed as he practically pounced on to Arkrael, giving her a lick across an ear before shoving his nose at Leon. "You any good at climbing yet, Leon? Bet I can still beat you to the top, you ol' lug!" He barked his challenge, tail lashing in a violent wag-- there was nothing but excitement, his grimness lost-- he was with friends, great friends, and together, what could stop them?

So it seemed all that intended to join them had come. The stag peered around those gathered, some of them anticipating leaping into battle. They spoke among themselves, delighted at the challenge, while others pensively looked on, and some damn near blew their cover with their eagerness to fight. The stag tipped his massive, heavy head in acknowledgement of the response of the crowd. They were ready. He snorted and edged out towards the entrance of the tunnel, peeking around to see if the dragon had noticed them.

Raheerah had been perched on the spire, his massive girth causing the great crystal to groan beneath his weight. His wings rustled, lips drawn back in a snarl - but his attention was elsewhere, letting loose a quiet stream of fire so as to gently roast a herd of cave deer that had run into Polaris at the wrong time. The stag narrowed his eyes, watching - Raheerah's back was to them, and then he snapped his head towards the river, rumbling. Poisonous orange eyes transfixed on something he couldn't see - something he would not tolerate.

With the dragon distracted, the stag gestured to the ones behind him and slipped into the cave, quiet as he could be.

Only four characters will be able to follow Deer Dad before Raheerah notices the group. Raheerah will post again after four characters.

@Dark @Dragon @Black @Fisher @Cancer @Louie @Delphine @Arkrael

Black stood, watching the others edging forward, feeling the tension in the air. It tasted like metal on his tongue, sharp, and he realized suddenly that he had never seen so many Gembound in one place, before. Well. Maybe once--maybe when they had fought Aquarian.

He could only hope that this time, there would likewise be no fatalities.

A brief memory tingled at the back of his mind. He remembered shadows, pulling shadows from the darkness, drawing them together and lingering them at the water's edge. Aquarian had gone for them, attacking them--sparing the Gembound up above, for a brief time.

Maybe he could do something like that. Maybe he could do something better.

Instead of moving in, Black stiffened, standing splay-legged and bowing his head. He focused, inhaling deeply, feeling the cold black fill his heart-stone like never before. He would try to gather the shadows--all of the shadows--and extinguish all light in the room.

With any luck, the Gembounds would be able to make their way by faint firelight, and Raheerah would still be visible in all his blazing glory--but they would be under cover of darkness. His darkness.

He made no sound as the thick velvet cloak of black suddenly shot out around him, light flickering and fading like the dying echoes of sound falling into silence.

I will guard them. The shadows. Will guard them.

________________

Astraea spoke with a bold confidence that the bird could feel was faltering. The dragon was no match for the group, but his own presence should provide a bit of an edge. Shifting his wings, he looked the group over once more. From scent alone, he could tell the bear and the crocodile were both fire users. A charred smell lingered in their fur, their scaled skin; they might stand the heat of the room a little better than the others, but the phoenix made the observation for a different reason. If he needed to shield one of the gembounds with ice, he wouldn't want to blast those two with such a terrible elemental shock. If needed, he would take protective measures with care.

Toward the end of the stag's speech, the creature of ice turned to view Polaris. There, atop the Spire, sat his adversary. A creature of fire. A creature the bird refused to call by name. A creature that didn't deserve names, titles, or life. A creature that wasn't considered a creature at all to him, but a monster. A terrible, terrible monster. There were a few voices from the group, but his attention had an icy grip on the dragon. After a moment, he turned back toward the group with his gaze lingering on Astraea. They were ready. A part of him nearly froze the hooves of his friend. He wanted to keep Astraea from Polaris, from danger, from probable death. He left the words to the stag, saying nothing as the group prepped themselves to leave.

As they moved into the room, his icy eyes snapped back to the dragon. He waited in the cover of the tunnel to surprise the beast the moment it noticed any of the gembounds.

Note: he is not following the group in. He is waiting to provide a bigger distraction when Raheerah finally notices the group. He'd be really noticeable if he went with the others. :(

Leon stayed close to Arkrael; she was probably the closest friend he had here, and he'd be sure to keep a close eye on her during the battle. If anything, Leon would make sure that he took the brunt of the damage. He could take it - he was a bit of a tank, after all. He had suffered injury before. He knew how to handle it. His attention had shifted to the gathering, listening to them speak to one another, and then the stag spoke up and gave them a rousing speech, preparing them. After that, he just barely caught sight of something bouncing towards him. Leon turned in time to see Fisher approach, and the bear remained quiet as he struggled with a surge of guilt.

But... The fisher grinned up at him, posing a familiar challenge. Leon blinked and a wide smile spread his lips. "You're on, Fish! First to the top wins!" The bear returned the challenge with a low snicker. He was monstrously large now - climbing the spire would be the least of his concerns, yet the desire to return to that moment of innocence, the first time he had challenged Fisher to the top, kept the idea in the back of his mind.

The stag then gestured for them to go. Leon followed after them, with a quick glance at Arkrael before moving to the forefront of the group. The dog successfully cast their section of the room in shade, and he knew it wouldn't be long before the dragon realized what was up. He decided to take advantage of the chance while he could. As they poured into the crystal room, Leon brought the heat to his skin. His skin began to sear and sizzle, the hair igniting as clouds of smoke billowed out into the darkness, supplementing their cover.

Cancer had crept up against the wall of polaris, into the fiery glow that surrounded Raheerah's Spire perch. He felt tension rise in his throat, the stink of charred rock and dragon spit burning his lungs, curling his lip behind red glassy crystal. He thought about his task ahead. He thought about the new children he'd brought into this cruel world, about their suffering should he fail. His youthful wish to make peace with the world long ago vanquished, Carcino knew what he'd have to do.

He began climbing the walls of polaris, agile paws carrying him upwards, an old plan reduxed for just this occasion. The group behind had begun their own plan, and he'd use their distraction for his own gain now. The cat climbed higher.

He thought of Niru, Amaria, Fisher down below. He thought of Bevy, waiting in the wings. He thought, They'll know. The sacrifice he was willing to make, to put things right again. The love he'd given them in this life. He wondered... would they revive him, if his stone survived? would this world give him a second chance?

As he climbed higher, Cancer made peace with his gods. He would give his own life to see Raheerah's life extinguished. To see his children, his family, safe again.

---

Ooc: mobile post. Cancer moves ahead of the group, along the walls where he can find purchase. Visible, but out of Raheerah's range of sight hopefully.

bathed in flames we held the brand uncurled the fingers in your hand

The bear shot off his retort, a moment of camaraderie established between the old rivals, and he turned his face back Dark, his copper eyes flashing in the flare of the fires in the distance. He bounced over to the dog, a grin across his maw. Shadows enveloped them as they moved forward, and he knew it was his friend's doing. He could smell the smoke in the air, burning of fur, and though the smell made his eyes water-- he knew he would get plenty more of it soon. Gritting his teeth he turned his eyes to Raheerah, and with a light nudge to Black, he barked a soft command.

"Stay close," as if it needed to be said. He bolted towards the nearest clusters of crystals, hoping to find cover behind them, as well as splinter off from the main group. Smoke and darkness swelled through the room, and he could already swear he heard the roar of Raheerah-- though perhaps it was just a memory, the screeches and caws of Kings' Past. He wasn't going to lose this time.

He cast his gaze to the King of Fire, peering through the black, inky haze. His whole body felt electrified, but more so, the entire sky of Polaris began to turn cloudy, dark. For the first time, he had managed to focus, to get his lightning to obey his will. The storm gathered, thick overhead of the Spire, as he put his paws up on the blue crystals before him. He could feel the power of the Spire-- did it remember him, as a child, sending his magic back into it, waking the yeti? Did it remember the innocent barkfriend's blood? Did it remember, did it know, would it help them stop the King of Fire's reign?

CRRRCCKKK!

Fisher closed his eyes and sent a bolt of lightning straight for the King from the dark clouds above. The whole cave cracked with the sound of thunder, as though signalling the start of the fight. Fisher didn't aim for Raheerah. He aimed for the Spire.

Maybe it would remember him. They could use the monsterous beast of ice on their side.